The Raiffeisen KitzAlpBike - Marathon 2018

New course record, new attendance record and a great atmosphere along the route

The KitzAlpBike Marathon has been going for 23 years. But never before have so many competitors participated in this route. The organizers recorded a total of 1,037 entries this year - a great turn-out for the simultaneously held state championship during the mountain bike Marathon. The crowd are just as important, and play a huge part in supporting the riders, especially at the hotspot "Choralpe".

This was the KitzAlpBike - Marathon 2018

For 23 years the marathon is the ultimate highlight of the KitzAlpBike-Festival. We show you more!

Daniel Geismayr secures the victory in the men's race

For a large part of the race a leading group led by Gregory Brenes Obando (Costa Rica), Daniel Geismayr and Alban Lakata led the field. After the 90 kilometer long ultra distance, the Marathon World Cup bronze winner, Daniel Geismayr, prevailed against the reigning marathon world champion Alban Lakata, simultaneously securing the state championship title in the Mountain Bike Marathon 2018. After the entire distance and almost 4,000 vertical meters, the two separated by only 70 seconds. Third place went to Gregory Brene's Obando.

"It's a nice feeling to race against the world champion and defend the jersey." (Daniel Geismayr about his victory)

Hotspot Choralpe - the spectator magnet!

One of the absolute highlights of the entire route is the "Choralpe" in Westendorf - and not just for the racers, but for the spectators too. At around 1,810 meters, more than 1,500 enthusiastic spectators awaited the riders with a rousing applause. Here, the athletes have the first 20 kilometers and the first big climb of around 1,000 meters behind them. The last section, known as the "sliding section" with an average gradient of 30%, is only passable by very few.

"On the Choralpe there were so many people supporting us, it was really amazing," said world champion Alban Lakata.

Last year's winner Angelika Tazreiter won the women's competition

Same route - 90 kilometers, 4,000 vertical meters -, same race: In the ladies, the winner of the previous year Angelika Tazreiter from Upper Austriaconfidently secured the victory. In second place was the Colombian Angela Parra Sierra, ahead of Barbara Mayer from Austria.

"I've had a mixed season so far, this title is a dream!"

New participant record at the 23rd edition of the race

With more than 1,000 official starters, the KitzAlpBike Marathon entered the history books this year for the first time since it's debut. The large range of routes for participants of all levels, the simultaneous hosting of the state championships and the autumn World Cup was a great challenge for the organisers. Even with the these conditions, we are delighted:

"We are particularly pleased about the spectator development along the route."

Especially on the Choralpe and the Hahnenkamm, thousands of spectators lined the course, providing the incomparable KitzAlpBike feeling, chief organizer Max Salcher reports.